Isla Escondido - invincible569's Rimless 300g

[tbone28]

I've read enough threads on Vortechs falling down, and enough threads where the vortechs are loud if the magnet is not centered with the powerhead. It seemes to be a lot of maintenance. I already spend enough time every morning picking up frags that my snails knock over at night!

Edward, I just love your end shots!! Those damsels were a great addition. How are your Anthias doing?

 

[mcrist]

The Vortechs only fall down if you don't support the power cord. I have two of them myself and they never detach. I also have two Tunze and they require more effort to keep clean but not too much more.

I can see why invincible569 didn't use them since he has no place to support the power cords on the side of his tank.

 

[tbone28]

how do the powercords need to be supported? Can you just tape them to your stand to take the weight off the magnet?

 

[invincible569]

terry, the Anthias didnt make it. Im thinking they are for colder waters.

 

[tbone28]

 

[invincible569]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11921137#post11921137 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28

Thats how i felt. they were one of the best fish I have seen in person.

 

[hatfielj]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11920891#post11920891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
how do the powercords need to be supported? Can you just tape them to your stand to take the weight off the magnet?

The pumps come with nice little black plastic cord holders that attach to your tank or rim of your tank with double stick tape. They are very inconspicuous.
I also have never had any trouble with a pump falling. In fact, I can take the wet side part of the pump out of the tank to clean it and the dry side stays attached in the same exact place!
There's really no downside to vortechs except some people don't like having them on the outside of their tank. Its just a matter of personal taste. I personally hate the look of tunze's inside a tank, but others hate the look of a vortech sticking out of the tank. Reefers are so picky!

 

[i2ik]

I am having 4 of the vortech pumps on my display with the wireless controller. On a larger tank, it is really hard to get the wave motion but definitly a cool toy to have. I am guessing that i would need more than 2 pumps on each side to make the wave effect.

Also 2 out the 4 i have keep falling if i dont support them with the cord holder. On the other 2, they have no cord holder and havent fall up to now. Its such a hassle everytime they fall but once there is a cord holder, it is much better.

I like to believe that the Tunze and Vortech are different. The flow provide by each is different. Vortech is wider, Tunze goes much further. I presently have all vortech but planning on adding 2 Tunze 6201 in a near future, when the coral will growth more and will need more flow.

 

[invincible569]

I have changed out my 6101 shroud to a 6201 and the flow is a lot wider like a vortech. It's a $50 upgrade unless you have one laying around. The wider the shroud, the wider the flow. The more narrow, the more of a stream. Now, the 6201 itself has more power and Im in love with it. It was a great investment! I have the pumps on the 7095 controller and it makes the corals sway back and forth.

 

[GSMguy]

i dont think you can beat a 6101/6201 if you have the room, but i cant fit one in my 50g tank so vortech was my only option. the truth about VT powerhead is, it is more work than a tunze to get working right and they are louder in and out of the tank.

Edward the video of the inside of your reef tank on the blog was awesome, and your surface agitation looked real good.

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11937646#post11937646 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by invincible569
I have changed out my 6101 shroud to a 6201 and the flow is a lot wider like a vortech. It's a $50 upgrade unless you have one laying around. The wider the shroud, the wider the flow. The more narrow, the more of a stream. Now, the 6201 itself has more power and Im in love with it. It was a great investment! I have the pumps on the 7095 controller and it makes the corals sway back and forth.

Hey Edward, you've got me interested!

So let's see if I've got your latest "flow" down right!

You're running (2) 6201's - both w/o mods
Your're running (1) 6101 - with the shroud changed to a 6201

On the modded 6101, now that flow is wider, do you lose distance?

I've been wanting to add a 6101, and may do the same mod now

 

[invincible569]

GSM, thanks! its very loud with the camera under water. I thought it was a pretty cool effect to see what the fish hear. Thats why they say dont put speakers next to a fish tank and it gets magnified.

Terry, I actuallty did it just as a test and wasnt a permanent solution. I have my 6101 stock shooting from the back right to the back left adn it works great. Now, when I had the 6201 shroud on the 6101 it lost its distance. Its even more crazy when you take off the shround and let it run. I wanted to see how it worked and it was insane!

 

[tbone28]

Edward, OK, got it! I thought I remembered you saying you tried the mod, but returned it back to stock. I thought you had put the mod back on

I just downloaded your video...WOW! I'd call that more than a *sway* LOL...I was wondering why it was so loud! Didn't know you had your camera under water. Your SPS island is taking off! Are any of them touching each other?

 

[quiksilver]

invincible, I absolutely love your tank and have been following this thread a while. I thought about how to say this without coming across as a jerk and I don't mean to sound like one, but I'm just gonna say it. IMO the damsels ruined it for me

 

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11938238#post11938238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by quiksilver
invincible, I absolutely love your tank and have been following this thread a while. I thought about how to say this without coming across as a jerk and I don't mean to sound like one, but I'm just gonna say it. IMO the damsels ruined it for me

I still love your damsels The splash of color is awesome!

 

[invincible569]

quicksilver, no worries. I dont think you are a jerk. I actually love the new damsels.

Terry, I agree. Looks better for us. I had to redownload the video and yea i had it in the water, in the tank. The SPS look a lot better now and are growing more and more everyday. They are touching each other but I let nature take its course.

 

[quiksilver]

Yeah man, definitely a preference thing. I know you dislike chromis and I like some types.

Your tank is truly an inspiration though regardless! As you know I'm already copying your spot light effect The rimless top makes me sooo happy.

 

[invincible569]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11938897#post11938897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by quiksilver
Yeah man, definitely a preference thing. I know you dislike chromis and I like some types.

Your tank is truly an inspiration though regardless! As you know I'm already copying your spot light effect The rimless top makes me sooo happy.

Oh yea? Do you have it setup yet? I redid mine 2 days ago. Im waiting on some extra parts to finish it up. It's a slow project for me, but it definitely helps overall.

 

[tbone28]

Edward doesn't like chromis, but I do Your damsels was the reason I just added 10 baby chromis to my system :rollface:

 

[quiksilver]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11938916#post11938916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by invincible569
Oh yea? Do you have it setup yet? I redid mine 2 days ago. Im waiting on some extra parts to finish it up. It's a slow project for me, but it definitely helps overall.

Nice. Naw, the amount of studying I've had to do for this financial advising firm is unreal and hasn't left any time for lighting. My new top secret project will have them though Soon... soon... I got a small LED bulb for my fuge though, I like it.